Remote aerosol dispensing system

ABSTRACT

A method of dispensing aerosol spray products by removing aerosol spray valve, connecting an adapter down into the mounting cup assembly which becomes an adaptive platform for inserting at least one type valve actuator that is connected by flexible tubing to an external remote medium for dispensing liquid aerosol products at correct mixtures irregardless of angle of application of the remote medium because aerosol container can remain in an upright position while applying with the remote medium at any angle required, even upside down.

I claim priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/611,194, filed. on Sep. 17, 2004, Title, Remote Aerosol Dispensing System, and said copy is submitted in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Aerosol spray containers have an inherent problem with dispensing the contents when the container is tilted at such angles required for proper application or as the contents are depleted the more you tilt the can for spray application, especially when contents are depleted to less than half, the greater the chance the supply tube that directs the contents from the bottom of container to the valve will be open to propellent gas pocket. This condition results due to the liquid flowing to the opposite end of the container and the propellent gas, being lighter than liquid, flows to the opposite end of the liquid therefore allowing the supply tube at the bottom of container to be open to propellent gas instead of liquid contents resulting in the release of excessive gas or many times, only the gas. This not only creates problems when utilizing paint products, sealers, and various other aerosol products but is very annoying as anyone knows that has tried to spray any surface that is hard to reach or difficult to see with an aerosol spray. This application deals directly with an adaptive dispensing system that will eliminate said problems due to its unique ability to allow the aerosol spray container to always remain in an upright position while at the same time dispense the aerosol contents correctly and in an even mixture by a remote dispensing medium irregardless of the angle the medium is held.

PRIOR ART CLAIMED

U.S. Patent Provisional Application No. 60/587,267 filed Jul. 13, 2004, Aerosol Adapter for an External Medium.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION

It is the intent of this invention to explain and illustrate a unique system I have designed that utilizes the Adapter from said Provisional Application coupled with components described in this application and how they are utilized together as a system to dispense aerosol spray products at any angle of application. When first removing the cover or cap from an aerosol spray container you see the valve on top of the container. This is removed by pulling the simple spray valve actuator off and revealing the valve stem or in some cases the valve stem pedistal will only be visable. There are three valve actuator designs utilized for this application and not limited by only these type designs (All three are depicted in Drawings 4 and 5, pages 8 and 9). Once the valve actuator is removed you align said Aerosol Adapter over the opening on top of container, pressing down on adapter will allow it to snap down and into place inside the mouting cup assembly as shown in Drawing 3, page 7, Figures A, B, and C. When the adapter is in place you determine, by written instructions or by valve type comparison, the correct aerosol valve actuator insert, as shown in Drawing 4, page 8, Figures D, E, and F to be utilized for the particular spray valve design. When this is accomplished the flexible tube connector is attached to the top of the aerosol valve actuator as shown in Drawing 6, page 10. When connected, the last step to complete the system is to, install the valve actuator insert into the aerosol adapter by twisting the insert down into the adapter as shown in Drawing 6, page 10, thereby actuating the aerosol container valve and pressurizing the spray system through the flexible tubing connecting to the spray medium (hand held spray unit) as shown in Drawing 9, page 14. Attach aerosol container to belt or pocket as shown in Illustration 2, page 15, Figures J, K, L, and M, now allows the spray gun to dispense when activated at angle they desire, straight up, straight down, or any combination thereof and dispense the contents in the even mixture intended by the manufacturer without generating excessive amounts of propellent gas or worse, all gas and no product. This advanced system design makes the operation possible now, where it was not possible before, to accomplish this ability on standard aerosol spray products discussed in background section of this application. This Remote Aerosol Dispensing System will conserve the propellent gas, dispense an even spray mixture at any angle of application, and still allow the container to be turned upside-down for cleaning the valve and dispensing system as is required to prevent clogging for paint products, etc.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS AND ILLUSTRATIONS

This invention allowing for the utilization of Provisional Application No. 60/587,267 Aerosol Adaptor for an External Medium, will enable an adaptive remote dispensing medium such as a hand held spray applicator, fogger system, or various other means by which to dispense liquid contents of an aerosol container by a remote device.

Drawing 1, page 6, shows the round, cupped and inwardly recessed design of a standard aerosol seal and valve arrangement referred to as, mounting cup assembly, and is the standard for nearly all aerosols manufactured for industries such as spray paints, automotive spray products, household and industrial spray cleaners, and many other aerosol spray products around the world.

Drawing 2, page 6, illustrates an enlarged cut-a-way view of the mounting cup arrangement and valve stem in Drawing 1 of same page. The inwardly cupped seal arrangement has a inner circular radially curved ring that is the attachment area/point for the Aerosol Adapter claimed in said prior provisional application.

Drawing 3, page 7, shows Fig. A, the Aerosol Adapter positioned over aerosol mounting cup. Fig. B shows a cut-a-way view of the mounting cup and that downward pressure applied to the adapter forces the flexible flanges to compress inward allowing the adapter to start down into the mounting cup assembly. Fig. C shows the adapters flexible flanges as they passes over the inner, radially curved ring and spring back outwardly thereby locking the aerosol adapter in place inside of the aerosol mounting cup seal and valve arrangement and now providing an adapter platform for the attachment of various valve actuators shown in Drawings on page 8.

Drawing 4, page, 8, show in Fig.'s D, E, and F, aerosol valve actuators and the specific design of each enables their adaptation to various aerosol valve pedestal configurations referred to on page 2, line 9 by the various container manufacturers this invention pertains to.

Drawing 5, page 9, illustrate in Fig.'s G, H, and I, three of the most common manufacturers valve designs utilized in said aerosol spray products this invention will adapt to and not limited to only these listed due to future requirements for other valve actuators.

Drawing 6, page 10, illustrates all said drawings, the aerosol adapter, an aerosol valve actuator, aligned on top of a standard aerosol container ready for connection in their proper positions as would be connected by an individual with a flexible type tube or hose leading to a dispensing medium.

Illustration 1, page 11, Figure J depicts an individual while holding the can in an upright position dispensing the contents correctly and evenly, conditions for this is shown in Drawing 7, page 12, Figure N. The propellent gas exerts pressure down on the liquid contents forcing the liquid up the pickup or supply tube when actuated. Back to Illustration 1, page 11, Figures K, L, and M depict what can happen when the aerosol container is utilized to spray objects at less than upright angles, explanation for this problem is depicted in Drawing 7, page 12, Figure O, the liquid contents flow to the opposite end of the container allowing the pickup or supply tube to now be open to propellent gas only therefore dispensing only propellent gas when actuated.

Drawing 8, page 13, illustrates how the complete Aerosol Adaptive System would appear when coupled together down into a cut-a-way view of the top of an aerosol container.

Drawing 9, page 14, shows a simplified verson of a possible dispensing medium. This drawing shows a hand held spray unit or pistol design connected by flexible tubing to the aerosol valve actuator back in Drawing 8, page 13. The type of actual dispensing medium is not limited to a pistol design but is utilized for this application for illustration purposes.

Illustration 2, page 15, depicts the same individual back in Illustration 1, page 11, spraying at the same angles of application as depicted in Illustration 1, but now is utilizing the Remote Aerosol Dispensing System which is attached to the individuals body by a clip device, and not limited by this method of attachment only, allows the container to remain in an upright postion at all times, therefore allowing any standard aerosol container to function and dispense it's contents at the even mixture intended by the manufacturer irregardless of the angle the dispensing medium is held or as in these Figures J, K, L, and M illustrate, a hand held pistol style spray gun. 

1) A remote aerosol dispensing system which, utilizes an aerosol mounting cup assembly adapter and at least one aerosol valve actuator insert adapter connected by flexible tubing to a type remote spray medium, which will dispense aerosol container contents irregardless of angle of application by remote external medium 